U.S. patent application number 11/272691 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-07 for signal communication apparatus and signal communication system.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Tomo Baba, Masao Funada, Shinya Kyozuka, Hisayoshi Mori, Takehiro Niitsu, Junji Okada, Shinobu Ozeki, Kazuhiro Sakai, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Hidenori Yamada.
Application Number | 20060277586 11/272691 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37495616 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060277586 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baba; Tomo ; et al. |
December 7, 2006 |
Signal communication apparatus and signal communication system
Abstract
A signal communication apparatus includes a transmission
component, a reception component and an identification information
storage component. The transmission component is connectable to an
information processing device and a signal propagation medium, and
transmits an inputted image signal through the connected signal
propagation medium. The reception component is connectable with an
image display device and the signal propagation medium, receives
the image signal transmitted from the transmission component
through the connected signal propagation medium, and outputs the
image signal to the connected image display device. The
identification information storage component is removably attached
to the transmission component, and stores identification
information for identifying the image display device. The
information processing device acquires the identification
information from the identification information storage component
connected to the connected transmission component, and outputs the
image signal to the connected transmission component in accordance
with at least a portion of the acquired identification
information.
Inventors: |
Baba; Tomo;
(Ashigarakami-gun, JP) ; Suzuki; Kazuhiro;
(Ashigarakami-gun, JP) ; Mori; Hisayoshi;
(Ashigarakami-gun, JP) ; Sakai; Kazuhiro;
(Ashigarakami-gun, JP) ; Okada; Junji;
(Ashigarakami-gun, JP) ; Funada; Masao;
(Ashigarakami-gun, JP) ; Ozeki; Shinobu;
(Ashigarakami-gun, JP) ; Kyozuka; Shinya;
(Ashigarakami-gun, JP) ; Niitsu; Takehiro;
(Ashigarakami-gun, JP) ; Yamada; Hidenori;
(Ashigarakami-gun, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
37495616 |
Appl. No.: |
11/272691 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/118 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09G 5/006 20130101;
G09G 2370/04 20130101; G09G 2370/047 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/118 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/173 20060101
H04N007/173 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 20, 2005 |
JP |
2005-147947 |
Claims
1. A signal communication apparatus comprising: a transmission
component, which is connectable with an information processing
device and a signal propagation medium, and which transmits an
inputted image signal through the connected signal propagation
medium; a reception component, which is connectable with an image
display device and the signal propagation medium, and which
receives the image signal transmitted from the transmission
component through the connected signal propagation medium, and
outputs the image signal to the connected image display device; and
an identification information storage component which is removably
attached to the transmission component, the identification
information storage component storing identification information
for identifying the image display device, wherein the information
processing device acquires the identification information from the
identification information storage component connected to the
transmission component, and outputs the image signal to the
connected transmission component in accordance with at least a
portion of the acquired identification information.
2. The signal communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
identification information is the same as information provided at
the connected image display device.
3. The signal communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
identification information storage component is replaced with
another of the identification information storage component, at
which information the same as information provided at the connected
image display device is stored, such that the identification
information is the same as the information provided at the
connected image display device.
4. The signal communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
identification information storage component is rewritable and the
identification information stored at the identification information
storage component is rewritten so as to be the same as information
provided at the connected image display device.
5. The signal communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
identification information storage component is removably attached
at an exterior portion of the transmission component.
6. The signal communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
identification information storage component is removably attached
at an interior portion of the transmission component.
7. The signal communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
identification information storage component stores EDID
information for identifying the image display device.
8. The signal communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
signal propagation medium includes an optical fiber cable, the
transmission component converts an electronic signal, which is the
inputted image signal, to an optical signal and transmits the
optical signal, and the reception component receives the optical
signal transmitted from the transmission component, converts the
optical signal to an electronic signal, and outputs the electronic
signal to the image display device to serve as the image
signal.
9. The signal communication apparatus of claim 8, wherein a length
of the optical fiber cable is 100 meters or more.
10. A signal communication system comprising: an information
processing device, which outputs an image signal; an image display
device, which displays an image based on the image signal; and a
signal communication apparatus, wherein the signal communication
apparatus includes: a transmission component, which is connectable
with the information processing device and a signal propagation
medium, and which transmits the image signal, which is inputted
from the information processing device, through the connected
signal propagation medium; a reception component, which is
connectable with the image display device and the signal
propagation medium, and which receives the image signal transmitted
from the transmission component through the connected signal
propagation medium, and outputs the image signal to the connected
image display device; and an identification information storage
component which is removably attached to the transmission
component, the identification information storage component storing
identification information for identifying the image display
device, and the information processing device acquires the
identification information from the identification information
storage component connected to the transmission component, and
outputs the image signal to the connected transmission component in
accordance with at least a portion of the acquired identification
information.
11. The signal communication system of claim 10, wherein the
identification information is the same as information provided at
the connected image display device.
12. The signal communication system of claim 10, wherein the image
display device can be substituted, and the identification
information storage component is replaced with another of the
identification information storage component at which information
the same as information provided at the substitute image display
device is stored, such that the identification information is the
same as the information provided at the substitute image display
device.
13. The signal communication system of claim 10, wherein the image
display device can be substituted, the identification information
storage component is rewritable and the identification information
stored at the identification information storage component is
rewritten so as to be the same as information provided at the
substitute image display device.
14. The signal communication system of claim 10, wherein the
identification information storage component is removably attached
at an exterior portion of the transmission component.
15. The signal communication system of claim 10, wherein the
identification information storage component is removably attached
at an interior portion of the transmission component.
16. The signal communication system of claim 10, wherein the
identification information storage component stores EDID
information for identifying the image display device.
17. The signal communication system of claim 10, wherein the signal
propagation medium includes an optical fiber cable, the
transmission component converts an electronic signal, which is the
inputted image signal, to an optical signal and transmits the
optical signal, and the reception component receives the optical
signal transmitted from the transmission component, converts the
optical signal to an electronic signal, and outputs the electronic
signal to the image display device to serve as the image
signal.
18. The signal communication system of claim 17, wherein a length
of the optical fiber cable is 100 meters or more.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 from
Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-147947, the disclosure of
which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a signal communication
apparatus and a signal communication system, and particularly
relates to a signal communication apparatus and signal
communication system for propagating image signals.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, when electronic signals representing image
information, such as DVI (Digital Visual Interface) signals or the
like, are propagated from a computer to an image display device,
such as a liquid crystal display device, a CRT or the like, in
order to output the electronic signals from the computer in
accordance with specifications of the image display device, the
computer acquires identification information from the image display
device. The identification information represents a model name of
the image display device, setting values and so forth.
[0006] Standard specifications for this identification information
are specified by the Video Electronics Standards Association
(VESA). By acquiring the identification information, a computer can
automatically identify the model name, setting values and the like
of an image display device. Here, the DDC (Display Data Channel)
protocol serves as a protocol for automatic identification, and the
EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) standard serves as a
standard for the identification information. By acquiring EDID
information created in accordance with the EDID standard, a
computer can identify the model name of an image display device,
and setting values and the like.
[0007] A display is known (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
(JP-A) No. 11-15425) in which, when EDID information is to be
acquired in accordance with the DDC protocol, the EDID information
is memorized at a memory of a DDC control section provided at the
image display device. This EDID information is transmitted in the
form of DDC signals.
[0008] DDC signals, DVI signals and suchlike are usually propagated
by dedicated metal cables. However, when DVI signals of very high
quality images, such as UXGA images, are to be propagated,
frequencies of the signals are high. Consequently, there is a
problem in that, because of mismatches of impedance in propagation
with a metal cable, it is only possible to propagate up to about 5
meters.
[0009] Accordingly, as an apparatus for enabling long-distance
communication of DVI signals, a signal communication apparatus is
known (JP-A No. 2005-51730) which converts DVI image signals to
optical signals and propagates the optical signals with an optical
fiber, but propagates DDC signals with a metal cable.
[0010] However, with the signal communication apparatus described
in JP-A No. 2005-51730, because the DDC signals with low signal
frequencies are propagated by a metal cable, satisfactory signal
propagation is difficult when the DDC signals are propagated over
longer distances, because of attenuation of the signals. Moreover,
if the signal communication apparatus is disposed outdoors and the
DDC signals are propagated in the metal cable, there is a risk of
damage to the apparatus, fire or the like being caused by a
lightning strike on the metal cable, which is a problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above
circumstances and provides a signal communication apparatus and a
signal communication system.
[0012] A first aspect of the present invention is a signal
communication apparatus comprising: a transmission component, which
is connectable with an information processing device and a signal
propagation medium, and which transmits an inputted image signal
through the connected signal propagation medium; a reception
component, which is connectable with an image display device and
the signal propagation medium, and which receives the image signal
transmitted from the transmission component through the connected
signal propagation medium, and outputs the image signal to the
connected image display device; and an identification information
storage component which is removably attached to the transmission
component, the identification information storage component storing
identification information for identifying the image display
device, wherein the information processing device acquires the
identification information from the identification information
storage component connected to the transmission component, and
outputs the image signal to the connected transmission component in
accordance with at least a portion of the acquired identification
information.
[0013] A second aspect of the present invention is to provide a
signal communication system comprising: an information processing
device, which outputs an image signal; an image display device,
which displays an image based on the image signal; and a signal
communication apparatus, wherein the signal communication apparatus
includes: a transmission component, which is connectable with the
information processing device and a signal propagation medium, and
which transmits the image signal, which is inputted from the
information processing device, through the connected signal
propagation medium; a reception component, which is connectable
with the image display device and the signal propagation medium,
and which receives the image signal transmitted from the
transmission component through the connected signal propagation
medium, and outputs the image signal to the connected image display
device; and an identification information storage component which
is removably attached to the transmission component, the
identification information storage component storing identification
information for identifying the image display device, and the
information processing device acquires the identification
information from the identification information storage component
connected to the transmission component, and outputs the image
signal to the connected transmission component in accordance with
at least a portion of the acquired identification information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in
detail based on the following figures, wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing structure of a signal
communication system relating to the embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing structure of a
transmission module and an EDID information storage device relating
to the embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Herebelow, an embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to the drawings.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a signal communication system 10
relating to the present embodiment is provided with a host computer
12, a signal communication apparatus 11 and an image display device
18. The host computer 12 outputs DVI electronic signals, which are
electronic signals representing image information. The signal
communication apparatus 11 propagates the DVI electronic signals,
which are inputted thereto from the host computer 12, to the image
display device 18. The image display device 18 displays images
based on the DVI electronic signals propagated thereto through the
signal communication apparatus 11.
[0019] The signal communication apparatus 11 is provided with a
transmission module 14, a reception module 16 and an optical fiber
cable 56. The transmission module 14 transmits signals based on the
DVI electronic signals inputted from the host computer 12. The
reception module 16 receives the signals transmitted from the
transmission module 14. The optical fiber cable 56 connects the
transmission module 14 with the reception module 16. Furthermore,
the host computer 12 and the transmission module 14 are connected
by a DVI metal cable 32, and the reception module 16 and the image
display device 18 are connected by a DVI metal cable 52.
[0020] The transmission module 14 is provided with a box-like
casing body 20. An electronic-optical conversion circuit board 22,
a power supply circuit 24 and a DDC transmission/reception circuit
26 are disposed inside the casing body 20. The electronic-optical
conversion circuit board 22 converts respective DVI electronic
signals for Red, Green, Blue and Clock to optical signals and
transmits the optical signals. The power supply circuit 24 supplies
electrical power to the electronic-optical conversion circuit board
22. The DDC transmission/reception circuit 26 transmits/receives
DDC signals.
[0021] At one end of the electronic-optical conversion circuit
board 22, a female electronic connector 28 (a DVI connector) at
which electronic signals are inputted is mounted, and a female
optical connector 30 at which optical signals are outputted is
mounted at another end of the electronic-optical conversion circuit
board 22. The female optical connector 30 is provided with a
frame-like connector-fitting portion, inside which light-emitting
elements (for example, laser diodes such as VCSELs or the like)
which output the optical signals are plurally incorporated. A male
electronic connector 34 of the DVI metal cable 32, which is
connected with the host computer 12, is connected at the female
electronic connector 28.
[0022] The electronic-optical conversion circuit board 22 and the
DDC transmission/reception circuit 26 are connected to one another
inside the casing body 20 by a female electronic connector and a
male electronic connector.
[0023] At the electronic-optical conversion circuit board 22, a
plurality of electronic-optical conversion circuits are provided,
to correspond to a variety of signals that are propagated by the
DVI metal cable 32. For example, with an ordinary DVI metal cable,
four categories of signal--Red, Green, Blue and Clock--are
propagated. Therefore, four of the electronic-optical conversion
circuits are provided so as to correspond, respectively, with the
four kinds of signal.
[0024] The power supply circuit 24 is connected, via an AC adapter,
to an AC power supply. The power supply circuit 24 is formed to
supply DC power to the electronic-optical conversion circuits of
the electronic-optical conversion circuit board 22.
[0025] A connector 60 is mounted at the DDC transmission/reception
circuit 26. As shown in FIG. 2, a plug 64, which is provided at one
end of a metal cable 62 and engages the connector 60, is attached
to the connector 60 from outside the casing body 20. The connector
60 can be detached from the plug 64. The other end of the metal
cable 62 is connected to an EDID information storage device 66. An
ROM 68, in which EDID information has been stored in advance, is
provided in the EDID information storage device 66, as shown in
FIG. 1. A modular type connector can be employed as the connector
60. However, any type connector can be employed as the connector
60, when it matches a terminal of the plug 64.
[0026] At the plug 64, terminals are provided to correspond to each
of a voltage level signal (5V), hot plug detection (HPD) of DDC
signals, DDC signal data and a DDC signal clock. EDID information,
which is memorized at a ROM 68, is constituted by, for example,
information representing a model name of the image display device
18, and setting values such as resolution and the like.
[0027] The reception module 16 is provided with a box-like casing
body 40. An optical-electronic conversion circuit board 42, a power
supply circuit 44 and a DDC transmission/reception circuit 46 are
disposed inside the casing body 40. The optical-electronic
conversion circuit board 42 converts the respective DVI optical
signals for Red, Green, Blue and Clock that are received to DVI
electronic signals and outputs the electronic signals. The power
supply circuit 44 supplies electrical power to the
optical-electronic conversion circuit board 42. The DDC
transmission/reception circuit 26 transmits/receives DDC
signals.
[0028] At one end of the optical-electronic conversion circuit
board 42, a female optical connector 48 (a DVI connector) at which
optical signals are inputted is mounted, and a female electronic
connector 50 at which electronic signals are outputted is mounted
at another end of the optical-electronic conversion circuit board
42. The female optical connector 48 is provided with a frame-like
connector-fitting portion, inside which light detection elements
(for example, photodiodes) which receive the optical signals are
plurally incorporated. A male electronic connector 54 of the DVI
metal cable 52, which is connected with the image display device
18, is connected at the female electronic connector 50.
[0029] The optical-electronic conversion circuit board 42 and the
DDC transmission/reception circuit 46 are connected to one another
inside the casing body 40 by a female electronic connector and a
male electronic connector.
[0030] At the optical-electronic conversion circuit board 42,
similarly to the electronic-optical conversion circuits, a
plurality of optical-electronic conversion circuits are provided to
correspond to the variety of signals. The optical fiber cable 56 is
also plurally provided to correspond to the varieties of signals.
For example, in the case of four kinds of signal, Red, Green, Blue
and Clock, four optical-electronic conversion circuits are provided
so as to respectively correspond with the four kinds of signal, and
four of the optical fiber cable 56 are provided. Here, if the four
kinds of optical signal are converted to one kind or two kinds, by
parallel-serial conversion, a wavelength multiplexing technique or
the like, it is possible to provide only one or two of the optical
fiber cable 56 to correspond to this variety of optical
signals.
[0031] The power supply circuit 44 is connected to an AC power
supply via an AC adapter. The power supply circuit 44 is formed to
supply DC power to the optical-electronic conversion circuits of
the optical-electronic conversion circuit board 42.
[0032] A male optical connector 70, which is provided at one end of
the optical fiber cable(s) 56, is connected to the female optical
connector 30 of the transmission module 14. A male optical
connector 72, which is provided at the other end of the optical
fiber cable(s) 56, is connected to the female optical connector 48
of the reception module 16. A length of the optical fiber cable 56
can be, for example, 100 meters and long-distance signal
propagation can be performed. Note that a connector 74 is provided
at the DDC transmission/reception circuit 46 of the reception
module 16 but this connector 74 is in a state in which nothing is
connected thereat.
[0033] A driving circuit 80 is provided at the image display device
18 for driving various parts of the image display device 18. A
memory 82, which stores EDID information of the image display
device 18, is provided at the driving circuit 80. The EDID
information stored at the memory 82 is the same as the EDID
information that has been stored beforehand at the ROM 68 of the
EDID information storage device 66. Herein, display devices with
conventionally known common structures can be employed for the
image display device 18; detailed descriptions of other structures
thereof will not be given for the present embodiment.
[0034] At the host computer 12, an image processing board 84 for
outputting the DVI electronic signals representing image
information is provided. The DVI electronic signals from the image
processing board 84 are inputted to the transmission module 14 via
the DVI metal cable 32. Herein, personal computers and the like
with conventionally known common structures can be employed for the
host computer 12; detailed descriptions of other structures thereof
will not be given for the present embodiment.
[0035] Next, operations of the signal communication system 10
relating to the present embodiment will be described. First, when
power supplies to each of the host computer 12, the transmission
module 14, the reception module 16 and the image display device 18
are turned on, the host computer 12 outputs control information to
the EDID information storage device 66, via the DDC
transmission/reception circuit 26 of the transmission module 14, in
order to acquire the EDID information of the image display device
18.
[0036] When the EDID information storage device 66 receives the
control information for acquiring the EDID information, the EDID
information storage device 66 outputs a signal representing the
EDID information stored at the ROM 68, and the host computer 12
acquires the EDID information via the metal cable 62, the DDC
transmission/reception circuit 26 and the DVI metal cable 32.
[0037] When the host computer 12 has acquired at least a portion of
the EDID information, the host computer 12 identifies that the
image display device 18 is connected and, on the basis of the
acquired EDID information, identifies the model name, setting
values and the like of the image display device 18. On the basis of
image information, the host computer 12 generates DVI electronic
signals to suit specifications of the image display device 18, and
outputs the DVI electronic signals. These DVI electronic signals
are inputted to the transmission module 14 via the DVI metal cable
32, converted to DVI optical signals and outputted by the
electronic-optical conversion circuit board 22, and transmitted
through the optical fiber cable 56 to the reception module 16.
[0038] Then, at the reception module 16, the DVI optical signals
are converted to DVI electronic signals by the optical-electronic
conversion circuit board 42, and the DVI electronic signals are
outputted through the DVI metal cable 52 to the image display
device 18. At the image display device 18, an image based on the
DVI electronic signals is displayed.
[0039] Now, when, because of a change of the image display device
18 or the like, the EDID information stored at the EDID information
storage device 66 and the EDID information of the image display
device 18 will not match, the plug 64 is detached from the
connector 60 of the transmission module 14, the EDID information
storage device 66 that was connected is substituted with another of
the EDID information storage device 66, at which the EDID
information stored in the memory 82 of the current image display
device 18 is memorized, and the substitute EDID information storage
device 66 is connected to the transmission module 14.
[0040] Hence, when power to all the devices is turned on, in the
same manner as described above, the host computer 12 acquires the
EDID information stored at the newly connected EDID information
storage device 66, thus acquiring the EDID information stored at
the memory 82 of the image display device 18. The host computer 12
identifies the model name, setting values and the like of the image
display device 18, and generates and outputs DVI electronic signals
to suit the specifications of the image display device 18.
[0041] Further, if a rewriting device which is capable of rewriting
the EDID information stored at the ROM 68 of the EDID information
storage device 66 is employed, it will be possible to alter the
EDID information stored at the EDID information storage device 66
connected to the transmission module 14 without replacing the EDID
information storage device 66. In such a case, the plug 64 of the
metal cable 62 connected to the EDID information storage device 66
is detached from the connector 60, the plug 64 of the metal cable
62 of the EDID information storage device 66 is plugged into the
rewriting device, and EDID information stored at the rewriting
device is copied to the ROM 68 of the EDID information storage
device 66. Thus, the EDID information can be overwritten.
[0042] As described above, according to the signal communication
system relating to the present embodiment, because an EDID
information storage device is attached at a transmission module, a
host computer can acquire EDID information safely and reliably.
Furthermore, because the EDID information storage device is
attached to be removable from the transmission module, it is
possible to replace the EDID information storage device easily when
the EDID information changes. Further yet, because there is no need
for a cable between the transmission module and a reception module
for acquisition of the EDID information, it is possible to perform
long-distance communication of DVI signals.
[0043] Further again, because the EDID information storage device
is attached at an exterior portion of the transmission module, the
EDID information storage device can be detached easily.
[0044] Further still, because an optical fiber cable is employed,
it is possible to perform stable long-distance communication.
[0045] Anyway, for the embodiment described above an example case
has been described in which a plug of a metal cable connecting with
an EDID information storage device is attached to a connector
provided at an exterior portion of a casing body of a transmission
module. However, the connector may be provided at an interior
portion of the casing body of the transmission module, and the EDID
information storage device and the metal cable may be accommodated
inside the casing body. Such a case is possible when the casing
body of the transmission module is structured to be openable and is
structured such that the plug of the metal cable connecting with
the EDID information storage device can be detached when the casing
body is opened.
[0046] Further, a conventional transmission module that is provided
with an electronic-optical conversion circuit board may be employed
as the transmission module. Such a case is possible when a plug of
the EDID information storage device is structured so as to fit with
a connector of the transmission module and the EDID information
storage device can be attached to the transmission model.
Consequently, because it is possible to utilize existing devices,
the transmission module can be structured at low cost.
[0047] The first aspect of the present invention is to provide a
signal communication apparatus comprising: a transmission
component, which is connectable with an information processing
device and a signal propagation medium, and which transmits an
inputted image signal through the connected signal propagation
medium; a reception component, which is connectable with an image
display device and the signal propagation medium, and which
receives the image signal transmitted from the transmission
component through the connected signal propagation medium, and
outputs the image signal to the connected image display device; and
an identification information storage component which is removably
attached to the transmission component, the identification
information storage component storing identification information
for identifying the image display device, wherein the information
processing device acquires the identification information from the
identification information storage component connected to the
transmission component, and outputs the image signal to the
connected transmission component in accordance with at least a
portion of the acquired identification information.
[0048] The second aspect of the present invention is a signal
communication system comprising: an information processing device,
which outputs an image signal; an image display device, which
displays an image based on the image signal; and a signal
communication apparatus, wherein the signal communication apparatus
includes: a transmission component, which is connectable with the
information processing device and a signal propagation medium, and
which transmits the image signal, which is inputted from the
information processing device, through the connected signal
propagation medium; a reception component, which is connectable
with the image display device and the signal propagation medium,
and which receives the image signal transmitted from the
transmission component through the connected signal propagation
medium, and outputs the image signal to the connected image display
device; and an identification information storage component which
is removably attached to the transmission component, the
identification information storage component storing identification
information for identifying the image display device, and the
information processing device acquires the identification
information from the identification information storage component
connected to the transmission component, and outputs the image
signal to the connected transmission component in accordance with
at least a portion of the acquired identification information.
[0049] According to the present invention, the information
processing device acquires identification information which
identifies the image display device from the identification
information storage component, which is connected to the
transmission component connected to the information processing
device. In accordance with at least a portion of the acquired
identification information, the information processing device
outputs image signals to the transmission component connected
thereto. Then, the transmission component transmits the inputted
image signals through the signal propagation medium connected to
the transmission component. The reception component receives the
image signals that are transmitted from the transmission component
through the signal propagation medium connected therebetween, and
outputs the image signals to the image display device connected to
the reception component.
[0050] Thus, because the identification information storage
component is attached to the transmission component, the image
processing device can acquire the identification information safely
and reliably. Furthermore, because the identification information
storage component is attached to be removable from the transmission
component, it is possible to replace the identification information
storage component easily if the identification information is to
change. Further yet, because there is no need for a cable from the
image display device for acquisition of the EDID information, it is
possible to implement long-distance communication of image
signals.
[0051] The identification information relating to the present
invention is the same as information provided at the connected
image display device.
[0052] Further, the identification information storage component
relating to the present invention may be removably attached at an
exterior portion of the transmission component. Hence, detachment
of the identification information storage component is made even
easier.
[0053] The identification information storage component may store
EDID information for identifying the image display device.
[0054] Further still, the signal propagation medium relating to the
present invention may be an optical fiber cable, with the
transmission component converting an image electronic signal, which
is the inputted electronic signal, to an image optical signal and
transmitting the image optical signal, and the reception component
receiving the image optical signal transmitted from the
transmission component, converting the image optical signal to an
image electronic signal, and outputting the image electronic signal
to the image display device. When the signal propagation medium is
an optical fiber cable, it is possible to perform long-distance
communication of the image signals reliably.
[0055] Furthermore, the above-mentioned optical fiber cable can be
formed to lengths of 100 meters or more.
[0056] As has been described above, according to the signal
communication apparatus and signal communication system of the
present invention, benefits are provided in that, because an
identification information storage component is attached to a
transmission component, an information processing device can
acquire the identification information safely and reliably, and,
because the identification information storage component is
attached to the transmission component to be removable, it is
possible to replace the identification information storage
component easily when the identification information is to change.
Further, a benefit is provided in that, because a cable from the
image processing device for acquiring the identification
information is not necessary, it is possible to implement
long-distance communication of image signals.
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